FinanceTalks.co.uk

Negative Outlook for Lebanon’s Banks

Peter Wilson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:58:30 +0000

There comes a time when outgoings simply don't match income earned, no matter how careful we are with money. And it doesn't matter either where we live, whether here in the United Kingdom or in Lebanon in the Middle East. Finance – and especially the lack of it at critical moments – can add up to one big headache. That's where banking with all its modern-day services can come to the rescue. All fine and dandy in a stable economic environment such as is found in the UK. You may or may not be aware that Lebanon is going through a rather difficult time at the moment because of the civil war raging in neighbouring Syria. The war, unsurprisingly, is having a major impact, not least because of the huge number of refugees fleeing the fighting and seeking sanctuary in the country. Weak economic growth within Lebanon is also directly affecting a number of sectors including banking. It would be no surprise to find personal loans with HSBC or any other multinational or domestic bank becoming harder to come by, at the very least, over the short-term. Indeed, the banking sector's fortunes over the next year or so certainly appear pessimistic when viewed through the eyes of rating agency Moody's.

The post Negative Outlook for Lebanon’s Banks appeared first on FinanceTalks.co.uk.

Driving Holidays Abroad: How Hiring a Car Can Save You Money

Peter Wilson — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:14:32 +0000

If you’re considering a trip on the continent with the family, then the chances are your head has already started to swim with ideas about what to do with the car. Should you take the ferry and drive? Or should you simply fly and rent one while you’re out there or take your own? Hiring a car instead of taking your own can save you a great deal of stress, a lot of time and contribute heavily to making your getaway perfect. You may want to get to a country or a region that would take an awfully long time to reach from the UK when taking your own car and using the ferry. This will have a large affect on your timeframe needed for your holiday and could see you rushing around instead of enjoying yourself. Flying and renting a car is a lot easier and means you can choose where to fly to and from, pick up your car at the airport and get to your destination in no time at all.

The post Driving Holidays Abroad: How Hiring a Car Can Save You Money appeared first on FinanceTalks.co.uk.

How Changes To The No Win No Fee System Will Affect Ordinary People

Peter Wilson — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:28:47 +0000

On 1 April 2013, the legal landscape with regards to personal injury, changed with the implementation of the Legal Aid, Sentencing & Punishment of Offenders Act. The Act was adopted in British Law as a means of discouraging dubious, exaggerated, or manufactured, personal injury claims from being pursued; a trend which has come to blight British society and has seen the emergence of a compensation culture in the UK. In short, the Act still enables claimants to pursue a personal injury case on a no win no fee basis. If the claimant is unsuccessful, he or she is still not expected to part with any money. The Act has, however, fundamentally altered the funding model of the no win no fee arrangement in a scenario where the claimant is successful. Previously, the ‘success fee’ in addition to the successful claimant’s legal costs was covered by the losing side. However, this is no longer the case. The ‘success fee’ is, henceforth to be paid by the successful claimant, and will be deducted from their settlement figure.

The post How Changes To The No Win No Fee System Will Affect Ordinary People appeared first on FinanceTalks.co.uk.

Investing your Savings the Right Way

Peter Wilson — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:33:07 +0000

Handling finances in the right way can sometimes seem like a bit of a challenge, especially when it’s so easy to spend money these days. Receiving a windfall often leaves savers wanting to splurge newest technology or indulge in treats, but we all know that saving is the more responsible option. While there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself once in a while, investing in your future is something you will be thankful of when you really need the money. But where do you begin? If you’re planning on leaving the money untouched for a long length of time – such as years – it’s worth putting it into a fixed-rate bond account. Stock market investments are only a good idea if you are happy to leave your money untouched for a long length of time.Investing in the stock market is only really worth doing for those with a five-year plan, given that the stock market is so changeable. Giving stocks the time to rise and fall accordingly means that there’s less chance of your money losing value.

The post Investing your Savings the Right Way appeared first on FinanceTalks.co.uk.

The Pound Coin at 30

Peter Wilson — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:55:27 +0000

This Sunday (21st April, 2013) marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of the £1 coin. To celebrate, MoneySupermarket has launched ‘The Story of the Pound Coin’, looking back at the history of the coin and comparing the buying power of £1 now, compared to 1983. Launched at the height of the Conservative Government, the £1 coin was reportedly disliked by the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, however, its popularity, and distinctive design led to its forerunner, the £1 note, eventually being withdrawn from circulation in 1988. Although 30 years have passed since its first became legal tender, the similarities between then and now couldn’t be clearer. The UK was recovering from recession in 1983, while politically motivated chart hits weren’t uncommon! However, the buying power of £1 has changed considerably in 2013 compared to 1983. In 1983, £1 would buy 1.4 pints of beer compared to 0.3 pints currently, while you could get 5.9 Mars bars for £1 compared to just 1.7 now.

The post The Pound Coin at 30 appeared first on FinanceTalks.co.uk.